Wow. I'm sorry it's taken so long, but things have been a little crazy. I just haven't had much time for any writing. But here it is, chapter 2 is finally finished, and I hope you'll like it as much as you enjoyed chapter 1. Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews, I'm very glad you enjoy my story. So, without further delay, here's chapter 2.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

Chapter 2

I traveled at random, without caring for where I was going. I fed as needed, the odd feeling becoming more and more insistent each time; I was destined for something better. There had to be something better.

My roaming eventually led me to London, and my scholarly nature brought me to one of the Oxford libraries. I made my visits after hours, in order to minimize contact with humans. It was a simple thing to enter the locked facilities and view any material I wished.

As I browsed through one of the many shelves, I became aware of the presence of another. It was no human, I could tell, but a creature like me. I searched him out and found him waiting for me at a large table, with several books laid out in front of him.

He had all the traits that vampires generally have: the pale skin, the circles under the eyes, the beauty. I stepped towards him, happy to meet another like me. But as I studied him, I realized that he was somewhat different. His eyes were not the deep red I had grown accustomed to as a vampire. Instead, they were a soft gold.

He rose from the table, smiling kindly. "A pleasure to meet you," he said, extending a hand. I watched him for a moment, feeling his emotions. He was sincerely happy to meet another of our kind. He meant me no harm. I closed the distance between us, taking his hand and shaking it.

"Pleasure's all mine," I replied. "Jasper. Jasper Whitlock."

"Jonathon Hayes. Please, sit. It isn't often we get other vampires in town." He sat back down among his books, gesturing for me to join him. I sat across from him, glancing at the titles of his selections. Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Dickens, and many other notable authors lay scattered there.

"Quite the collection you've assembled," I commented, picking up one of the volumes.

"My favourites," Jonathon noted, placing his hand over one of them. He leaned back after a moment, observing me. "So, do you plan to stay in London long, Jasper?"

Stay long? He didn't just ask that, did he? How could I stay any place for long without drawing unwanted attention from humans?

"Only as long as I'm able," I answered after a moment. "It wouldn't be possible to stay for an extended amount of time; humans may grow suspicious."

Jonathon smiled. I could feel the humour radiating off him. "On the contrary," he told me. "My family and I maintain a permanent residence not far from here."

Impossible. Humans were often slow to realize what we were, but they invariably figured it out. It was what made a nomadic life necessary.

But I could taste the truth in his words.

"How can that be?" I asked, thoroughly intrigued by this vampire.

Jonathon laughed, leaning towards me. "I think we have much to learn of each others' lifestyles, Jasper." He stood, picking up the books he'd assembled. He shelved them, and joined me back at the table. "Perhaps you could accompany me to my home; I'm certain my family would be pleased to meet you as well."

I had been enjoying my brief conversation with him, and found myself quite eager to continue. It had been so long since I'd had contact with another vampire. And I still sensed no threat from him. He was merely as curious about me as I was about him.

"I'd be happy to join you," I replied.

"Excellent."

We walked towards his house at a leisurely pace, as there were still many humans about on the street. There were many questions I wished to ask him, and he seemed pleased to answer them all.

"How many are you?" I began, starting with the most simple.

"Five," Jonathon answered. "Marian, Cassandra, Victor, Rachel, and myself."

Five of them lived among humans without their feeding being noticed? Each minute made my conversation with this man more and more interesting.

"How is it possible?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. "How can so many live here without being exposed?"

Jonathon sighed, glancing at me. "I suspect our feeding habits greatly differ. Surely you observed the difference between our eyes?"

I again noted the gold tones in his eyes. Certainly they were unusual, but I had not thought it might be related to feeding.

"The colour," I stated. "Your eye colour is odd…golden, somehow."

Jonathon nodded. "As I said, it is due to our feeding. You asked how my family can remain here without being exposed. You see, Jasper, my family abstains from hunting humans."

The words hit me with a terrible shock. Abstain from hunting humans? In all my years as a vampire, this was the first I had heard of it. How could a vampire survive without human blood? Why would a vampire want to avoid human blood?

Since my change, I had been raised by family to regard the humans as inferior. They were insignificant, only to be used as food by us. Compassion was not to be given to them. It was only natural for a vampire to hunt humans; I had been taught that since my birth as a vampire.

We had arrived at Jonathon's house by this time. The house was a large three story mansion with a wrap around porch, painted bright blue. Like many other properties on the street, it was surrounded by a tall wrought iron fence.

We entered the house, and were met by Jonathon's family. The four of them were in a sitting room, as if waiting for us.

"Welcome to our home, Jasper," one of the women said in a soft, melodic voice. "Please, sit."

My former family had taught me to be naturally suspicious of others. I read each of these new vampires carefully, making sure they held no malice. When I was satisfied that they would not try to harm me, I took a seat beside Jonathon.

We spent most of the night discussing our pasts. All five of them had been created by other families, families similar to mine. They had each developed sympathy for humans, and disgust for human blood. After leaving their families, they had eventually found each other, and lived together ever since.

I was invited to stay with them, and I happily agreed. I had been on my own for several months now, and I craved company. I stayed with the family for several weeks, getting to know them quite well.

I learned much about their way of life. Frankly, I did not understand the struggle they constantly put themselves through. They fed on the supremely inferior blood of animals, and forced themselves to be around humans every day. I could not see where the sympathy for the humans had arisen.

I refused to join them. I continued to hunt the people of London, though the Hayes constantly tried to dissuade me. Stubborn as I was, I refused to even consider their arguments. I would not be deterred from my natural food source.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Hayes, even with our disagreements. However, it could not last long. My feeding was beginning to draw attention. Too many humans had been disappearing as of late, and suspicion was growing. I could not be so selfish as to destroy what the Hayes had built here, and I knew my time in London was over.

It was also becoming clear to me that whatever I was searching for, it did not lie in London. I took my leave of the Hayes after five short weeks, regretting my necessary departure. They immediately understood my need, and assured me that I would be welcomed back at any time.

As I set out, I knew I would not see them again, at least not for a very long time. I was once again alone in my quest, unsure of my next destination.

The next chapter may take a while, and I promise, I'll get it to you ASAP. Don't worry if chapter three doesn't come for a few days; I promise, it's coming!

P.S. I loved receiving all the wonderful support in the reviews. I'd appreciate more, and please, don't be afraid to say what you really think!